Superstorm Sandy Knocks out Power Lines

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that Superstorm Sandy has knocked out power to 6,249,397 customers in the U.S. East Coast. Some media reports suggest over 8 million customers have been without power. A state of emergency has been issued in 12 states plus Washington, D.C.

Calls are already being made to start burying more transmission and distribution lines to avoid such widespread power outages. Edison Electric Institute data between 2004 and 2008 indicate that customers with above-ground power lines experienced 13 times the number of power outages per year, on average, when compared to customers with underground electricity networks.

In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, electricity transmission companies are warning people to stay away from downed power lines, and to consider all downed lines to be live and very dangerous.

As crews repair all of the damage to overhead electricity systems, it is hoped that none of the workers will be injured. Electrical deaths and injuries among workers in the United States was studied between 1992 and 2002 by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The study found that underground power lines are much safer than overhead lines.